Jaw meshing mechanism for electric starters



JAW MESHING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC STARTERS Filed April 20, 1942 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1.

INVENTOR. F/FL PH M fizz/v72 Nov. 9, 1943. R. M. HEINTZ 2,334,003

JAW MESHING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC STARTERS Filed April 20, 1942 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. RALPH MI fis/Nrz Nov. 9, 1943. HElNTz 2,334,003

JAW MESHING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC STARTERS Filed April 20, 1942 5Sheets-Sheet 3 4 IIIIIIIIIIIII/IIII INVENTOR.

RALPH M HEINTZ ATTORNEY Pa tented Nov. 9, 1943 JAW MESHING MECHANISM FORELECTRIC STARTERS Ralph M. Heintz, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Jack &Heintz, Inc., Bedlord, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 20,1942, Serial No. 439,751

18 Claims.

This invention relates to mechanisms for operating an extensible jawclutch member on a starter for internal combustion engines and the ilike, the present application constituting a continuation-in-part of myapplication Serial Number 403,406, for Power transmission device, filedJuly 21, 1941, now matured into Patent #2303,- 637, issued December 1,1942.

The general object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism forextending the jaw clutch member on an electric starter to engage asimilar jaw clutch member on an internal combustion engine during thetime that the starter is operating to crank the engine.

A particular object is to provide a novel manual means on a starter forextending the jaw clutch member to accomplish the starting operation.

A further object is to provide novel solenoid means operable by closingan electrical circuit for extending the jaw clutch member.

A further object is to provide a combination of manual and solenoidmeans which may be used selectively to extend the jaw clutch member forthe purpose described.

A still further object is to provide a jaw meshing mechanism extendingthrough a starter housing which does not interfere with the separatingof the various major parts of the housing when such is taken apart.

Additional objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled inthe art as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a starter with parts broken away toshow the jaw meshing mechanism as it appears when the jaw clutch memberis retracted;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the starter shown inFigure 1 with parts broken away to show the mechanism as it appears whenthe jaw clutch member is extended;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view, with parts broken away,looking in the direction of the arrows 33 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on a larger scale of the solenoid andlinkage for operating the push rod associated with the jaw clutchmember.

Figure 5 is a view of the adjustable rod connecting the movable coreelement of the solenoid with the manual operating linkage;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of an alternative arrangement with certainparts removed;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 11 of Figure 6, parts ofthe solenoid being broken away to show its internal construction; and

Figure 8 illustrates a modified form of the crank arm I03.

The present application relates to the jaw meshing mechanism disclosedin Figures 1, 6 and 7 of the parent application, this structure beingillustrated herein in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive. In these figures thereference numerals correspond with those in the parent application. Thepresent application, by way 01 Figures 6 to 8 also shows structuralmodifications embodying the principles of the invention.

In the starter disclosed and claimed in the parent case an electricmotor in the motor housing 5 drives through intermediate earing a sungear 38 on a hollow shaft 23. A plurality of planet gears 40 on a planetgear carrier 43 mesh with sun gear 38 and ring gear teeth incorporatedin a multiple disc clutch mechanism 44a. By restraining rotation of thering gear the clutch mechanism causes torque to be exerted upon theplanet gear carrier 43 in a manner well understood in the art. Theseelements of the driving mechanism are illustrated in Figure 1.

The planetary gear carrier 43 i extended at its lower axial portion toprovide a sleeve extension 430 which projects downwardly to a pointpartially outward of the lower end of the control unit housing 2|. Inturn, the housing 2| is provided with an end extension 2la havin anattachment flange 2th by which the entire transmission gear unit of myinvention may be mounted upon or associated with the crank housing of anairplane engine, for instance, suitable bolts, not shown, being employedfor the purpose. Upon the flange Zlb the housing 2| projects by way ofextension to provide a hollow boss Zlc and the engine engaging clutch ordriven member of the unit designated 56 is mounted within the endportion of the housing 2| and directly within the hollow portion of thesleeve extension 430 of the planet gear carrier 43. The engine engagingor driven member 56 is a common type of clutch and is interlocked to theextension 430 of the gear carrier 43 by splined connecting teeth 51formed on both the parts 56 and 430. The numeral 55?) indicates theco-mating clutch member on the engine to be started.

The arrangement of the engine engaging clutch and its mode of connectionwith the gearing of the general unit is such as to enable the high speedoperation of. an inertia member on the motor shaft to be transmitted byreduction gearthe movable core element 18.

ing including the friction unit and planetary gear parts to connect saidinertia member with said driven member or engine engaging clutch 88.

The clutch member 88, at its inner sleeve portion, has the outer closedend 88a thereof engaged at the inner side by an expansion coil spring 88normally tending to project the clutch outwardly from the sleeve portion48c of the planet gear carrier 48.

Passing through the closed end 88a of the clutch member 88 is anactuating rod 8| having a head 82 abutting with the outer surface of thepart 880.. The rod II has a spring seat 88 thereon engaged by one end ofan expanding spring 84, the opposite end of said spring engaging theouter end shoulder portion 85 of a fixed sleeve 88 mounted in theextension 43c of the gear carrier 48 in fixed relation to the latter bythe provision of an inner end flange 8 interengaging a groove in thepart 480. The actuating rod M is adapted at its inner end to enter asocket or holder end portion of a secondary actuating rod 88 disposed inalignment with the motor shaft and concentric with the axis of theengine engaging clutch 88. The secondary actuating rod 88 is slidable inand through the sun gear carrying shaft 28 with the means for actuatingthe parts 88 and 8|, which virtually form a composite actuating rod,shown clearly in Figure 1 of the drawings.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is illustrated a push rod 88 adapted tobe manually actuated and leading externally of the casing to a suitablepoint where manual pressure may be applied thereto. The rod 89 isconnected to a cam 18 pivoted at 1i to a bracket 12. The cam 18 isadapted to engage a push rod 18 mounted in the starter casing.

The rod 18 coacts with a swinging link 14 supported adjacent to thewindings 15 of a solenoid including a movable core element 18. The link14 is attached by links 11 to a swing lever 18 pivoted at 18, therebyconstituting a four bar linkage astride the axis of the solenoid. Thelever 18 has a bifurcated end portion 88 engaging side pins 8i on acollar 8i a slidable on a plunger rod 82 which is screw threadedlyconnected with Notches 8 lb in the collar 8hr normally engage and seat apin 82a to prevent rotation of the rod 82, this cooperation beingmaintained by a spring 14a acting on the link 14. Adjustment of theeifecti length of the rod 82 may be readily accomplished withoutdisassembling by disengaging the collar 8Ia from the pin 82a andscrewing the rod into or out of the core element 18. The core element 18in turn carries a pin 88 engaging the lower bifurcated arm 84 of anactuating bell crank lever 85, the upper arm of which normally engagesthe upper end of the secondary actuating rod 88, previously described.

Spring means 88, see Figure 2, in hollow portions of the housing parts 1and 5, bears at the upper end thereof against a shoulder 81 on the pushrod 18 and tends to maintain the rod in its uppermost position and theassociated cam 18 and rod 88 in the broken line position shown in Figure3. Also, this spring means 88 will restore these parts to such positionsalong with the connected parts that lead to the solenoid plunger 18 whenmanual pressure is not exerted against the manually operable rod 88 andlikewise to restore these parts to such positions after the solenoid isoperated electrically by means now to be described.

From the foregoing it is to be understood that i the engine engagingclutch or driven member 88 may be operated by the manual means connectedwith the manually operated rod ?8,.or said member 88 may be operated bythe energizing of the solenoid comprising the parts 18 and 18,previously referred to. through the closing of an electric circuit whichincludes said sole-- noid means.

Figure 3 in a general way illustrates the lead wire 88 of the electriccircuit connecting with the solenoid means at the contact 88, and inorder to permit of separation of the housing parts 8, 1, and I8, theelectrical connection depicted in Figure 3 is made up of a contact rod88 enclosing the lead wire 88 and having a lower contact member 8|yieldably engaging a spring actuated contact member 82 normally urgedupwardlyasshowninl'iguretibythespring 88.

It is to be understood that the solenoid unit is removable bodily fromthe housing I8, being normally contained, as to the solenoid partsproper, in a horizontal or radially disposed recess 84 formed in thesaid drive housing I8.

Therefore, if repair or replacement of the solenoid unit is required, itis only necessary toremove certain screws 88, seen best in Figure 3, andthe solenoid may be displaced after disconnection of the rod 18 andcertain disconnection of contacts, etc., not material to the invention.

Another feature of the present construction and arrangement is that theseparation of the various housing parts 8, 1, I8 and 2| does not requirethe dismantling of the jaw meshing mechanism notwithstanding thatelements of this mechanism are contained within each of the said parts.The push rod 18, contained within the parts I and 1, has no connectionwith 88 and the push rod 18 may'beallowed to drop- I out, but no furtherdisarrangement or-unfastening of Jaw meshing elements is involved. Thepush rod 88 and cam 18 remain with the motor housing I, the solenoidremains with the drive housing I8, and the push rods 8I and 88 remainwith the control unit housingjl. H

the housing parts are assembled the upper end of push rod 88 will seatupon the bell crank lever 88, the push rod 18 will be in approximatecontact with the link 14, and the electrical contacts 8I and 82 will bein engagement.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a modification ofshown) operable by the pushrod 88', the upper part of the housing and mechanism being removed. Thepush rod 88' is operated by'a rocker arm IIII on a shaft I82 carrying acrank arm I88. A pull cord or wire I84 is attached to the crank I88 inthe manner shown andleads externally of the housing I88 to a pointcr'station from which the starter is to be operated.

The rocker arm "I may also be operated to depress the push rod 88' bymeansoi a bell crank lever I88 having a bifurcated end I88 engaged by apin I81 actuated by a movable core element I88 in a solenoid indicatedgenerally at III. Movable core element I88 is guided by a central guiderod III slidable in a fixed core portion I09. A spring II2 tends toseparate the movable core element I08 from the stationary core elementI09 to withdraw the bell crank lever I05 from contact with the rockerarm IOI. The solenoid unit H is removable bodily from the housing I00,being contained in a radially directed recess 94' similar to the recess94 in Figures 1 and 2. When the solenoid is inserted in the recess 84'electrical connection is automatically made with a spring contact 08 inthe solenoid circuit, which contact may be conveniently mounted on thebracket 99 carrying the rocker arm shaft I02. Upon energization of thesolenoid the movable core I08 will be drawn inwardly against the actionof the spring H2 to rotate the bell crank arm in a clockwise directionas seen in Figure 7 and depress the push rod 68, it being understoodthat the push rod 68 operates an extensible jaw clutch member in themanner illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The clutch and planetary gearmechanism for rotating the jaw clutch member in the embodimentillustrated in Figures 6 and '7 may be considered as similar in allimportant essentials to the structure illustrated in Figure 1.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 it may be desirable toincorporate provision for lost motion in the crank arm I03 so thatsliding friction or stiffness of the cable I04 will not interfere withthe satisfactory operation of the parts by the solenoid. This may beaccomplished as shown in Fig, 8 by attaching the cable I04 to a leverII3 pivoted at II4 to a stub crank arm I03 on the shaft I02. A plate orstop II on the lever II3 causes the arm I03 and shaft I02 to follow thelever II3 when the latter is moved by the cable I04. However, when theshaft I02 is rotated by the solenoid, the outer end of lever II3 is notcompelled to follow the arm I03 and push up slack in the cable I04 sincethe articulated connection at II4 permits the cable end to remainsubstantially stationary. The positions assumed by the parts uponoperation of the solenoid are shown by broken lines in Fig. 8, thenormal or rest positions of these parts being shown in full lines.

The embodiments described herein are to be considered as illustrativeonly, and not in a limiting sense, as the invention is capable of manymodifications. Certain features may be altered and others omittedwithout interfering with the general results outlined in the objects ofthe invention. The invention is to be limited only by the prior art andthe scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, anextensible jaw clutch member, a coil spring within said member urgingsaid member toward extended position, a fixed sleeve within said memberand said coil spring, a push rod extending axially through said memberand said sleeve and slidable therein, an abutment on said push rod forretracting said member, a second abutment on said push rod, a springwithin said sleeve bearing against said second abutment, said last-namedspring exerting a superior force over said first named spring tonormally hold said member in retracted position, and means for movingsaid push rod in opposition to said lastnamed spring to permit saidfirst named spring to extend said member.

2. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, anextensible jaw clutch member having a cavity therein, a fixed cup-shapedsleeve ill extending within said cavity, a jaw extending springsurrounding said sleeve within said cavity, a push ,rod slidable axiallythrough openings in the ends of said sleeve and said member, an abutmenton the end of said push rod for retracting said member, a springabutment on said push rod within said sleeve, a push rod retractingspring within said sleeve between the cupped end thereof and said springabutment, said last mentioned spring overpowering said first-mentionedspring to normally hold said member in retracted position, and means formoving said push rod against said last-named spring to permit saidfirst-named spring to extend said member.

3. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, aplurality of separable housing parts, a push rod carried by and disposedaxially through one of said housing parts for extending a jaw clutchmember on said part, a rocker arm mounted within another of said partsand bearing against said push rod for operating said push rod, asolenoid in said other part having '3, movable core elementfor-actuating said rocker arm, spring means biasing said core element, alever for manually operating said .push rod independently ofenergization of said solenoid, and a manipulable member for operatingsaid lever, said housing parts being capable of separation and reunionwithout dismantling said jaw clutch operating mechanism.

4. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, aplurality of separable housing parts, an extensible jaw clutch member onone of said parts, means for normally holding said member in retractedposition, a push rod carried by and disposed axially through said partfor extending said member against the action of said means, a levermounted within another of said parts and bearing against the end of saidpush rod to operate same in one direction, manipulable means foroperating said lever, and solenoid means for operating said lever,whereby said member may be extended by manual effort or said solenoidmeans selectively, said solenoid means including a fixed core element, amovable core element and spring means to bias the latter element withrespect to the fixed core element, said movable core element beingarranged for actuation of said lever, and said housing parts beingcapable of separation and reunion without dismantling said jaw clutchoperating mechanism.

5. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, agenerally cylindrical casing comprising a plurality of separable partsunited in end-to-end relation, an extensible jaw clutch member on one ofsaid parts, an axial push rod carried by said part for extending saidmember, an externally accessible recess in another of said partsdirected radially into said casing, a solenoid removably secured in saidrecess, a movable core element in said solenoid, means operable by saidcore element to engage and depress said push rod, optional mechanicalmeans to depress said push rod independently of energization of saidsolenoid and a manipulable member extending from said casing foroperating said optional means, said housing parts being capable ofseparation and reunion without dismantling said jaw clutch operatingmechanism.

6. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, anextensible jaw clutch member, a push rod for extending said member, abell crank lever for operating said push rod, a solenoid, a movable coreelement connected with said bell crank lever and with a movable rodextending from said solenoid, a four bar linkage opcrable with said rod,and a manually operable push rod engaging said four bar linkage tooperate said first-named push rod independently of energization of saidsolenoid.

7. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, anextensible jaw clutch member, a push rod for extending said member, asolenoid device for operating said push rod, a second push rod foroperating said solenoid independently of energization of the latter, acam lever for operating said second push rod, and a manipulable memberattached to said cam lever.

8. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, a startercasing, an extensible Jaw clutch member, a push rod for extending saidmember, a solenoid device within said casing for operating said pushrod, a second push rod for operating said solenoid independently ofenergization of the latter. said second push rod extending outside ofsaid casing, a cam lever pivoted on the outside of said casing foroperating said second push rod, and a manipulable member attached tosaid cam lever.

9. In a starter for internal combustionengines and the like, anextensible jaw clutch member, a push rod for extending said member, asolenoid, a movable core element in said solenoid, a bell crank levermovable by said core element for operating said push rod, a four barlinkage mounted on an end of said solenoid astride the axis thereof. oneof the bars 01 said linkage having a bifurcated projection extendingacross said axis, a rod having adjustable screw threaded connection withsaid movable core element, a collar slidable and rotatable on said rodand having pivotal connection with said bifurcated projection, stopmeans on the end of said rod to prevent rotation of said rod when saidcollar is in engagement therewith, resilient means to maintain saidengagement, and a manually operable push rod in operative engagementwith said four bar linkage.

10. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, anextensible Jaw clutch member, means for extending said member, asolenoid having a movable core element for operatv ing said means, a rodon said core element extending axially through said solenoid, a collarslidable and rotatable on said rod, means on the end of said rod forlimiting the axial and rotative movement of said collar thereon, a fourbar linkage on an end of said solenoid and astride said rod, a finger onsaid linkage engaging said collar, means on said linkage biasing saidcollar into engagement with said limiting means on said rod, and manualmeans engaging said linkage and operable through said solenoid mechanismto extend said jaw clutch member independently of energization of thesolenoid.

11. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, agenerally cylindrical starter casing having an extensible Jaw clutchmember on one end thereof, an axial push rod for extending said member,an externally accessible recess directed radially into said casing, aremovable solenoid secured in said recess, a movable core element insaid solenoid, a bell crank lever operable by said movable core elementto depress said push rod, a four bar linkage connected with said coreelement to actuate same independently of energization of said solenoid,and a manipulable push rod slidable longitudinally of said casing foroperating said linkage. V

12. In a starter for internal combustion enines and the like, asolenoid, a movable core element in said solenoid, a bell crank leveroperable by said core element to extend an extensible Jaw clutch memberon said starter, a rod on said core element extending axially 01 saidsolenoid, a manipulable push rod directed at right angles to the axis ofsaid solenoid, and means for transferring motions of said push rod tosaid core element comprising a four bar linkage adapted to be actuatedby said push rod, one of said links having a bell crank arm thereon forpivotal engagement with said rod on said core element.

13. In an engine starter having an extensible jaw clutch member, asolenoid operated mechanism for extending said member, said mechanismcomprising a generally tubular solenoid body, a movable core element insaid solenoid, a bell crank lever pivoted on one end of said body andmovable by said core element, a four bar linkage mounted on the otherend of said body astride the axis thereof, one of the bars of saidlinkage having a bifurcated projection extending across said axis, a rodhaving adjustable screw threaded connection with said movable coreelement, a collar slidable and rotatable on said rod and hav ing pivotalconnection with said bifurcated projection, stop means on the end ofsaid rod to prevent rotation of said rod when said collar is inengagement therewith, and resilient means to maintain said engagement.

14,. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, a motorhousing, a drive housing and a control unit housing all secured togetherin end-to-end relation, an extensible jaw clutch member carried by saidcontrol unit housing, a push rod in said control unit housing forextending said member, said push rod having an end disposed within saiddrive housing, solenoid actuating means for said push rod containedwithin said drive housing, an electrical contact on said drive housingfor energizing said solenoid, an electrical input connection in saidmotor housing, said input connection having an electrical contact onsaid motor housing adapted to engage said first-named contact when saidmotor housing and drive housing are brought together in assembledrelation and a manual push rod carried by said motor housing and havingan end projecting into said drive housing in engagement with saidsolenoid actuating means, whereby said various housing components may beseparated and reunited without dismantling said jaw meshing mechanism. a

15. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, a pushrod for extending a jaw clutch member, a rocker arm for operating saidpush rod, a rocker arm shaft for said rocker arm, a lever on said shaft,a manipulable member for operating said lever, and solenoid means foroperating said rocker arm and push rod independently of said manipulablemember, said solenoid means comprising a fixed core element, a movablecore element, a spring tending to separate said core elements, and abell crank lever operable by said movable core element to rock saidrocker arm to operate said push rod.

16. In a starter for internal combustion engines and the like, agenerally cylindrical starter casing having an extensible jaw clutch memher on one end thereof, an axial push rod for extending said jaw clutchmember, a transverse rocker shaft carrying a rocker arm for depressingsaid push rod, a lever on said shaft, a pull' cable for operating saidlever, a bell crank lever providing an optional means to rock saidrocker arm, an externally accessible recess directed radially into saidcasing, a removable solenoid secured in said recess, a movable coreelement in said solenoid, and means on said core element for engagingsaid bell crank lever.

17. In a starter for internal combustion engines, a push rod forextending a jaw clutch member, a rocker arm for operating said push rod,a rocker arm shaft for said rocker arm, a lever for operating saidrocker arm shaft by manual means, a solenoid device for operating saidrocker arm and a lost motion connection between said lever and saidrocker arm shaft whereby operation of said rocker arm by said solenoiddevice does not disturb said manual means.

18. In a starter for internal combustion engines, a push rod forextending a jaw clutch member, a rocker arm for operating said push rod,a rocker arm shaft for said rocker arm, a stub crank arm on said shaft,a lever pivoted on said crank arm, a pull cable attached to said leverfor operating said rocker arm, and a solenoid device for operating saidrocker arm, said lever being arranged to engage said crank arm to movesaid rocker arm upon operation of said pull cable, said arrangementbeing such that movement of said crank arm by said solenoid does notdisturb said pull cable.

RALPH M. HEINTZ.

